End attachment for watch bands



July 19, 1955 K. SPECK END ATTACHMENT FOR WATCH BANDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Feb. 1, 1952 IN VEN TOR. Au/Pr ,S'PECK @141. M

ma'afi ATTORNEYS July 19, 1955 K. SPECK END ATTACHMENT FOR WATCH BANDS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1952 INVENTOR A a/Pr SPA-CK ATTORNEYS2,713,445 Patented July 19, 1555 iice END ATTACHMENT FUR WATCH BANDSKurt Speck, Palisades Park, N. 1., assignor to Jacques KreislerManufacturing Corporation, North Bergen, N. J a corporation of NewJersey Application February 1, 1952, Serial No. 262,464

It) Ciaims. (ill. 224-4) This invention relates to improvements in andattachments for watch bands and the like, and more particularly toimprovements in watch bands adapted to be mounted between the spacedlugs of a watch case and similar purposes.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending applicationSerial No. 207,727, filed January 25, 1951, for End Attachment For WatchBands, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an endattachment for watch bands and the like which is readily adjustable tothe distance between the spaced lugs of a watch case whereby tofacilitate the attachment of the band to the watch case and to enable anend attachment of one size to be used with watches of various spaced-lugsizes.

Another object of this invention is to provide an end attachment forwatch bands which is adapted for a range of distances between the spacedlugs of watch cases without requiring cutting or filing of the endmembers to fit them to the spaced lugs of the watch case.

Another object of this invention is to provide an end attachment forwatch bands giving better pivotal action and a more flexible connectionbetween the band and the watch case.

Another object of this invention is to provide an end attachment forwatch bands which has improved shock absorbing characteristics.

Another object of this invention is to provide an end attachment whichnot only adjusts itself automatically to the distance between spacedlugs of a watch case but which is also simple in constmction, economicalto manufacture and relatively easy to attach to a watch by the layman.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an end attachment forwatch bands which presents a highly pleasing, neat and finishedappearance.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of part of a watch band embodying thepresent invention, showing the band attached to a watch;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the parts of the watch bandend-attachment in disassembled relationship;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the watch band and attachment with aportion cut away to show the assembly of the parts;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the end portion of the springmember shown in Figures 1 to 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the end portion of a modified form ofspring member;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the end portion of another modified formof spring member;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the parts of a further modified form ofwatch band end attachment in disassembled relationship;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the watch' band end attachment shownin Fig. 8 with parts broken away to reveal structural details;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 9.; and

Fig. ll is a sectional view taken on the line 1111 of Fig. 9.

The end attachment for watch bandsof the present invention is adapted tobe connected to any conventional wrist watch having a pair of laterallyspaced lugs. With reference to Fig. l, 10 designates an expansion typewatch band which is adapted to be secured between the spaced lo s 12 ofa watch 14. The end attachment of the present invention is adapted to beused with any conventional watch band. Watch band 10, as shown in Fig.1, has an end link member 16 which is of tubular form and is suitablyapertured at 28 for receiving coiled spring member 13, which will bedescribed in detail hereinafter. The tubular member 16 has a portion 17which is adapted to cooperate with backing plate 20, and clamp overplate 2!? to hold said plate secured in place. The apertured tubularmember 16 is attached to the watch band 1%) by means of the backingplate in a conventional manner for example by pins (not shown) which arereceived in the apertures 11 and 13.

Coiled spring member 18 comprises a series of convolutions .22 and anintegral looped portion 24 intermediate the ends of said member 18. Inorder to anchor spring member 13 against axial bodily movement ordisplacement in tubular member 16, the hooked or looped portion 24 issecured to the member 16 in a manner to be described. As shown in Figs.2 and 3 backing plate 20 has an inwardly projecting protuberance orbent-in portion 26 which is adapted to cooperate with the looped portion24 of member 18 to secure said member ldagainst axial bodily movement inmember 16. With reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the endportions of the coiled spring member 18 overhang the width of the watchband when the member 18 is assembled to member 16 for a purpose to bedescribed here inafter. Although a unitary coiled spring member isillustrated it will be readily understood that instead of one spring twosprings may be used suitably anchored at their inner ends relative tomember 16. In practice member 18 is inserted into the aperture 28 ofmember 16 and the backing plate 20 is suitably secured in place on theback of member 16 by bending flanges 21 and 23 of member 16 down overplate 20 as will be readily understood. In connection with Figs. 2 and3, it is to be noted that member 16 has three integral dependingflanges, a side flange 23 and two end flanges 21, only one of which isshown in the drawing, which cooperate with the cutout portions ornotches 25' of plate 20. It will be readily apparent in the assemblythat the looped portion 24 of spring member 18 will envelop the bent inor struck-up portion 26 of the backing plate 2% to secure member 18against bodily axial movement without, however, interfering with theresilient axial compression and expansion of said spring member.

In one modification of this invention the coiled spring member 13 hastwo cup members 30, having inturned flanges 33, fitted over the ends ofthe spring member 18' and is suitably secured to the member 18 in anyconventional manner as by weld 32 or by a pressure fit of the endconvolutions 22 into the cups 30. In practice the cups are relativelythin walled and are fitted over a sufficient number of convolutions 22of member 13 so that the end portions of member 18 which overhang member16 are enclosed within the cups 39 with an additional length so that abearing surface is maintained between cups 3t) and member 16 for thefull range of distances between the spaced lugs 12 of watch 14 withinthe design limits of the band.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a modification 18' of member 18 in which thefirst and last turns of the convolutions 22 are closed and squared olfand tubular elements 34 are suitably secured to convolutions 22 as bywelding or any other conventional method of attachment.

The tubular elements 34 have substantially the same inside and outsidediameter as the convolutions 22 and the spring member 18 is secured tomember 16 in the same manner as described with reference to the springmember 18. In Fig. 7 there is shown another modification 18" of themember 18 in which the end portions comprise relatively closeconvolutions 19 with respect to the convolutions at the intermediateportion of member 18", in order to impart to the end portions thedesired esthetic characteristics. The relatively close convolutions 19extend for the visible portions which overhang the width of the watchband for the full range of 1.

sizes representing the distances bridging the lug members of the watchWithin the design limits of the band. It will be noted that therelatively close convolutions 19, tubular elements 34, and cups 30extend for substantially the same distance into member 16 and overhangmember 16 for substantially the same amount, the distance beingdetermined by the design limitations of the watch band end attachment.

With reference to Figs. 8 through 11 there is shown a further modifiedform of the present invention in which the end attachment comprises atubular member 16' having an aperture 28' extending therethrough. Thetubular member 16' has a portion 17 which is adapted to cooperate withbacking plate 29 and clamp over said plate to hold the latter securelyin place as aforedescribed with reference to Figs. 1 through 5. Thetubular member 16' is similar to the tubular member 16 aforedescribedand is additionally provided with a longitudinal slot 44 which extendsfrom the end 46 of member 16' to a short distance beyond the transverseaxis or center line comm-on to the member 16' and plate 20 in theirassembled relation (see Fig. 10). The slot 44 is provided with anenlarged end portion 48 at the end 46 of member 16' for a purpose whichwill be evident from the description which follows. ber 18" is similarto coiled spring member 18 and comprises a series of convolutions 2.2and an integral looped portion 50 intermediate the ends of said springmember. The looped portion 50 extends laterally from spring member 18"and each of the legs 52 thereof are in abutting relation to form theclosed or compressed looped portion 50. Thus spring member 18" issimilar to spring member 18 except that the looped portion 50 of member18" is in the form of a closed loop having its leg portions 52 inabutting relation. The backing plate 20 is similar to backing plate 20,shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and is provided with a bent-down portion 54having one end 56 thereof positioned a short distance to one side of thecommon transverse axis or center line of backing plate 20' and member16'. In the assembled 7 condition of tubular member 16 and backing plate20' the end 56 of bent-down portion 54 will be on one side of the commontransverse axis and the end 58 of slot 44 will be on the other side ofsaid common transverse axis. It will be noted that the closed end ofslot 44 will define a shoulder portion 58 and said shoulder portion andthe bent-down portion 54 of plate 20 are adapted to have positionedtherebetween the looped portion 50 of coiled spring member 18" toprevent the axial bodily movement of the latter when in assembledcondition with tubular member 16' and plate 20. Thus shoulder portion 58and bent-down portion 54 are offset in opposite directions from a mediantransverse line a sufficient amount for the reception of looped portion50 therebetween in the assembled condition of the end Coiled spring mem-4 attachment. The coiled spring member 18' has portions 66 whichoverhang the width of the apertured tubular member 16 and a pair of cupmembers 30' are fitted over the ends of said spring member. The cups 3%may be secured to the end portions 60 of spring member 18" in anyconventional manner and, as shown in Fig. 10, the cup members 30' may beprovided with lanced tabs 62 which are adapted to be struck down tointerengage with one or more convolutions 22 of said spring member tothereby securely anchor said cup members to the end portions of saidspring member. Cup members 30' are relatively thin walled and are fittedover a sulficient number of convolutions 22 so that the end portions 60of member 18", which overhang member 16, are enclosed within the cups 30with an additional length so that a bearing surface is maintainedbetween the outer periphery of cups 30' and member 16 for the full rangeof distances between the spaced lugs 12 of watch 14 within the designlimits of the band. Cup members 30 may be a length of seamless tubing orif desired may be a formed piece. In practice cups 3t) are fitted overthe ends of member 18" and are securely anchored in such position bymeans of the tabs 62 aforedescribed. This assembly is next inserted intothe aperture 28' of member 16 with the looped portion 50 of member 18guided into slot 44 by means of the enlarged end portion 48 of saidslot. The spring member assembly 18 is inserted in the aperture 28 untilthe looped portion 50 abuts the shoulder portion 58 of tubular member16. With the coiled spring member assembly 18" so positioned the backingplate 20' is placed in position on tubular member 16 and is secured inplace on the back member 16 by bending the flanges 21 and 23 down overthe cut-out portions or notches 25 of backing plate 20. It will beunderstood that with the backing plate 20 so positioned the end 56 ofbent-down portion 54 will be adjacent to the looped portion 50 of springmember 18" so that said bent-down portion and shoulder portion 58 willbe effective to anchor the spring member 18", centrally positioned,against axial bodily movement, without however interfering with theresilient axial compression and expansion of said spring member. It willbe understood that shoulder portions 58 and bent-down portion 54 ofmember 16' and member 18", respectively, are offset from a mediantransverse line of said members a sufiicient amount for the positioningof the looped portion 50 of member 18" therebetween. The aperturedtubular member 16 is attached to the extremities of watch band 10 bymeans of the backing plate 20' in a conventional manner as describedwith reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

The end attachment of the present invention is mounted between thespaced lugs 12 of watch 14 and is secured in place in a conventionalmanner as by a conventional spring pin 40. As best shown in Fig. 4 inthe assembly of the watch band with the end attachment of the presentinvention to a watch, the coiled spring member 18 adjusts itselfautomatically to the distance between the spaced lugs 12 so that asingle size end attachment can be used for a range of distances betweenspaced lugs 12 of various watch cases. It will be noted that the watchband end attachment assembly is suitably apertured so that aconventional spring hinge pin member 40 may be used in the assembly ofthe watch band 10 with the watch 14. As usual, said spring pin member 40comprises the spring projected inwardly movable end elements 41 whichare received in the recesses 42 of the lugs 12. Said lugs need not beprovided with the usual grooves for guiding the elements 41 into therecess 42. It will be noted that the external maximum diameter of member40 is less than the internal diameter of spring member 18 so as toprovide clearance between members 40 and 18 and thereby to avoidresistance to the axial expansion and compression of the spring.

in the assembly of the watch band end attachment of the presentinvention to a watch the end portions of the members 18, 18, it?" and18" are depressed a sufficient distance so as to be received between thespaced lugs 12. It will be noted as shown in Fig. 4 that the exposed endportions of members 18, 13', 18" and 18' present a highly pleasing, neatand finished appearance and the relativel" wide convolutions of therespective spring members are hidden from view in the aperture 28. Itwill be readily apparent from the above description that the endattachment of the present invention is adapted for a range of distancesbetween the spaced lugs of a watch without any cutting or filing of theend members, The present invention also provides for a more flexibleconnection between the band and watch case lugs and will give a betterpivotal action at the connection. By the use of the coiled springmembers above described the watch band and watch assembly provide forimproved shock absorbing characteristics. The construction shown inFigs. 1 through 5 and 8 through ll permits the use of a spring entirelycomposed of open convolutions thereby permitting an end attachment ofsuch construction to be used for a greater range of distances betweenthe spaced lugs of a watch. it will be readily apparent that the conceptof the present invention will allow jewelers and other sales outlets tostock a substantially fewer number of watch bands to fit the great rangeof distances between the spaced lugs of con ventional watches.

it will be understood that ordinarily both ends of the watch band willbe provided with an attachment of the present invention for attachingthe opposite ends of the band to the adjacent pairs of lugs 12, 11.,respectively at the opposite ends of the watch case. Further, it is tobe noted that although the invention has been described in associationwith a band of the resiliently expansible type, end attachments of thepresent invention may be used with all other types of watch bands.

Whiie there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular form hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mountedbetween spaced lugs comprising a tubular member having a backing plateconnected with one of the extremities of the band, said backing platehaving a beutin portion, and a coiled spring member disposed within saidtubular member, said spring member having portions which overhang thewidth of the band and having a looped portion enveloping said bent-inportio to secure said spring member against bodily movement and a pairof cup members fitted over the ends of said spring member and containingat least said overhanging portions of said spring member whereby saidspring member adjusts itself automatically to the distance between thespaced lugs so that a single size end attachment can be used for a rangeof distances between said spaced lugs.

2. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mountedbetween spaced lugs comprising a tubular member having a backing plateconnected with one of the extremities of the band, said backing platehaving a bent-in portion, and a coiled spring member disposed withinsaid tubular member, said spring member having portions which overhangthe width of the band and having a looped portion enveloping saidbent-in portion to secure said spring member against bodily movement,said overhanging portion of said spring member comprising tubularelements secured to the ends of said spring member whereby the latteradjusts itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugs sothat {i a single size end attachment can be used for a range ofdistances between said spaced lugs.

3. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mountedbetween spaced lugs comprising a tubular member having a backing plateconnected with one of the extremities of the band, said backing platehaving a bent-in portion, and a coiled spring member disposed withinsaid tubular member, said spring member having portions which overhangthe width of the band and having a looped portion enveloping saidbent-in portion to secure said spring member against bodily movement,said overhanging portion of said spring member comprising relativelyclose convolutions with respect to the convolutions at the intermediateportion of said spring member whereby the latter adjusts itselfautomatically to the distance between the spaced lugs so that a singlesize end attachment can be used for a range of distances between saidspaced lugs.

4. A watch band having an end-attachment for attaching an end portionthereof between the laterally spaced lugs of a watch case, said endattachment comprising tubular resilient means carried by said endportion of the band and being axially compressible and ex pansiblelaterally of the band to fit between the lugs of the watch case, saidtubular resilient means being axially of greater extent than the widthof the adjacent end portion of the band so as to normally projectlaterally beyond at least one side of said end portion of the band, saidtubular resilient means being open at its opposite ends for thereception of a spring-pin member to releasably engage the lugs of thewatch for securing said end portion of the band to the watch, and meanson said end portion of the band for preventing substantial axial bodilymovement of said tubular spring means laterally of the band, said springmeans having a laterally projecting looped portion coacting with saidend portion means for preventing said bodily movement.

5. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mountedbetween spaced lugs, comprising an apertured member having connectedthereto a backing plate, said said backing plate having a bent-downportion and said apertured member having a longitudinally extending slotwith one end thereof defining a shoulder portion, and a coiled springmember disposed within said apertured member, said coiled spring memberhaving a looped portion positioned between said bent-down portion andsaid shoulder portion to secure said spring member against bodilymovement, whereby said spring member adjusts itself automatically to thedistance between the spaced lugs so that a single size end attachmentcan be used for a range of distances between said spaced lugs.

6. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mountedbetween spaced lugs, comprising an apertured member having connectedthereto a backing plate, said backing plate having a bent-down portionpositioned to one side of its transverse axis and said apertured memberhaving a longitudinally extending slot with one end thereof defining ashoulder portion, said portion extending to one side of the transverseaxis of said apertured member, and a coiled spring member disposedwithin said apertured member, said coiled spring member having a loopedportion positioned between said bent-down portion and said shoulderportion to secure said spring member against bodily movement, wherebysaid spring member adjusts itself automatically to the distance betweenthe spaced lugs so that a single size end attachment can be use for arange of distances between said spaced lugs.

7. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mountedbetween spaced lugs, comprising an apertured member having connectedthereto a backing plate, said backing plate having a bent-down portionpositioned to one side of the common transverse axis of said backingplate and said apertured member, said apertured member having alongitudinal slot extending to the other side of said transverse axis,and a coiled spring member disposed within said apertured member, saidcoiled spring member having a looped portion with one side thereofpositioned adjacent to the end of said slot, said bentdown portionpositioned adjacent to said looped portion at the other side thereof,said end of said slot and said bent-down portion being effective tosecure said spring member against bodily movement, said spring memberadjusting itself automatically to the distance between the spaced lugsso that a single size end attachment can be used for a range ofdistances between said spaced lugs. 8. An end attachment for watch bandsand the like adapted to be mounted between spaced lugs, comprising anapertured member having connected thereto a backing plate, said backingplate having a bent-down portion with one end thereof positioned a shortdistance to one side of the common transverse axis of said backing plateand said apertured member, said apertured member having a longitudinalslot extending from one end thereof to a short distance to the otherside of said transverse axis, said slot at said other side defining ashoulder portion, and a coiled spring member disposed within saidapertured member, said coiled spring member having a laterally extending looped portion with one side thereof positioned adjacent to saidshoulder portion, said one end of said bent-down portion beingpositioned adjacent to said looped portion at the other side thereof,said shoulder portion and said one end of said bent-down portion beingeffective to secure said spring member against bodily movement, saidspring member adjusting itself automatically to the distance between thespaced lugs so that a single size end attachment can be used for a rangeof distances between said spaced lugs.

9. A Watch band having end attachments for attaching the end portionsthereof between the laterally spaced lugs of a watch case, each of saidend attachments compris ing an apertured member having connected theretoa backing plate, said backing plate having a bent-down portion and saidapertured member having a longitudinally extending slot with one endthereof defining a shoulder portion, and a coiled spring member disposedwithin said apertured member, said coiled spring member t having alooped portion positioned between said bentdown portion and saidshoulder portion to secure said spring member against bodily movement,said backing plate being connected with one end of said band, saidcoiled spring member being axially of greater extent than the width ofthe adjacent end portion of the band so as to normally project laterallybeyond said end portion of the band, said member being open at itsopposite ends for the reception of a spring-pin member to releasablyengage the lugs of the watch for securing said end portion of the bandto the watch, said coiled spring member having cup members fitted overthe ends thereof and secured thereto.

10. An end attachment for watch bands and the like adapted to be mountedbetween spaced lugs, comprising an apertured member having connectedthereto a backing plate, said backing plate having a bent-down portionwith one end thereof positioned a short distance to one side of thecommon transverse axis of said backing plate and said apertured member,said apertured member having a longitudinal slot extending from one endthereof to a short distance to the other side of said transverse axis,said slot at said other side defining a shoulder portion, and a coiledspring member disposed within said aperturcd member, said coiled springmember having a laterally extending looped portion with one side thereofpositioned adjacent to said shoulder portion, said one end of saidbent-down portion being positioned adjacent to said looped portion atthe other side thereof, said shoulder portion and said one end of saidbent-down portion being effective to secure said spring member againstbodily movement, said spring member adjusting itself automatically tothe distance between the spaced lugs so that a single size endattachment can be used for a range of distances between said spacedlugs, said coiled spring member having portions which overhang the widthor" said apertured member, and a pair of cup members fitted over theends of said spring member and containing at least said overhangingportions thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,725,786 Eklund Aug. 27, i929 1,809,277 Kestenman July 9, 19312,007,538 Kraemer July 9, I935 2,012,054 Ritter Aug. 20, 1935 2,382,249Megar Aug. 13, 1945 2,510,695 Guarnieri June 6, 1950

